Recent reviews by Hideki Saito

This isn't your usual DLC where you get extra gameplay content. Instead, the CLANNAD 10th Anniversary Artbook offers something different and special: a PDF version of a beautiful artbook.

Back in 2013, KEY celebrated CLANNAD's 10th anniversary by hosting an art contest on Pixiv, gathering entries from fans and professional artists alike. The result was a large, serial-numbered artbook that originally sold for around 7000 yen. (I own a copy myself, and it's a real treasure.)

Now, with this DLC, you get an English-translated version of that book. The original Japanese version is the kind of rare item you probably won't find sitting on the shelves at your local bookstore, let alone outside of Japan. Considering it was a limited print run back in 2013, it's doubtful that any Japanese bookstore would still have it either. If you really wanted a physical copy, it would mean binge-hunting through used bookstores, and even then, finding one would be pure luck.

It's important to note that artworks related to the anime adaptations (from Toei and Kyoto Animation) that were present in the original Japanese physical book are omitted here, likely due to licensing issues. Still, the collection remains impressive, showcasing a wide variety of fan-submitted illustrations alongside official package and concept art.

If you're a CLANNAD fan, a collector, or someone who appreciates beautiful artwork, this is a fantastic addition to your digital library.

You get access to a wonderful collection that is hard to come by. It features many different art styles, and it includes some official materials as well. While it doesn't include anime-specific art and is a PDF rather than a physical book, it is still a wonderful celebration of CLANNAD's legacy.

Highly recommended!

The CLANNAD Original Soundtrack (Steam Edition) is a treasure for any fan of the game. Containing pretty much every single track used in the original visual novel by KEY/Visual Art's, it spans a wide range of music styles, from emotional instrumental pieces to vocal songs (both in shortened and full versions).

What makes this Steam Edition particularly special is that it isn't just a direct port of the original soundtrack. All tracks composed by Shinji Orito have undergone subtle remastering and retuning. Orchestration changes, sound balance tweaks, and even slight melody line adjustments can be found throughout. Some tracks even feature additional outros, giving them a slightly fresh flavor while preserving the essence of the originals.

For those curious about exactly which tracks have been altered, here is a list based on my research:

Disk 1: 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20
Disk 2: 1, 2, 3, 9
Disk 3: 2, 3, 4, 18

While opinions on these remixes are divided, I personally enjoy the updated touches. I find that they enhance rather than detract from the emotional impact of the music. That said, taste is subjective, and purists may prefer the "classic" versions, which have been available through digital music stores and streaming services like Spotify.

In short: if you're a CLANNAD fan who appreciates the world and emotions it built through its music, this Steam Edition soundtrack is well worth picking up. It offers a slightly different, but lovingly crafted take on the unforgettable soundscape of one of the most iconic visual novels of all time.

Aviassembly: Where Flight Sim Meets Frankenstein Engineering

The premise of Aviassembly is gloriously simple: slap some wings on a thing, fly it around, deliver some cargo (medicine, batteries, inexplicably perishable fruit), make cash and scrap, then upgrade your monstrosity of a plane and repeat. It's part courier service, part aviation experiment, and part banana crisis management simulator. Seriously, I’ve had bananas survive a full day in my backpack—how are these in-game ones turning into compost in five minutes? Are we flying through a microwave?

This isn’t Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane—you won’t need a binder of checklists, a headset to yell “roger” into, or a PhD in switch-flipping. There’s no ATC barking at you for taxi clearance, and if you're wondering about autopilot—nope, that’s not on the menu. You’re flying this baby yourself, wobbles, regrets, and all.

Aerodynamics? Streamlined. Physics? Negotiable. Want to build a plane with ten fuselages duct-taped together like some kind of metallic centipede? Go right ahead. Six wings stacked like lasagna? Absolutely. A tail in the front and wheels that come off like dollar store shopping carts? Yes, chef. Your creations will (probably) fly, (sometimes) land, and (almost never) explode in mid-air without a good reason. Honestly, it’s a miracle of modern duct tape engineering.

Landing is usually the hardest part of any flight sim—ILS, flaps, wind vectors—but not here. In Aviassembly, the landing process is more of a suggestion. Sure, a wheel might bounce off and roll into the distance like it's quitting its job, but hey, if you’re still in one piece and cargo’s not on fire, that’s a win. No idea what these planes are made of, but I suspect it's mostly hope and scrap metal.

Worried about grinding to unlock parts? Don't be. There's a Sandbox mode where you get everything right away. It’s like the cheat code version of engineering school—no classes, just chaos.

And considering it's in early access, the game is surprisingly stable. The roadmap looks promising too—like it might evolve from “chaotic postal flight simulator” to “chaotic galactic postal flight simulator.” One can dream.

Just don’t expect Boeing or Airbus to come knocking after seeing your plane design. And no, this game won’t get you a real pilot license… but come on, would you really want to be in charge of an actual aircraft after what you just built?

VRM Dance Dream MV is a neat little early access app that lets you import your VRM avatar and make it dance. That’s the pitch—and it mostly delivers, assuming you’re okay with a few rough edges and the occasional “wait, how does this work again?” moment.

You pick a song from the included selection (which is… not huge), apply a dance animation, and watch your model do its thing. It even lets you export the whole thing as an MP4, which is perfect if you’ve always dreamed of uploading your avatar doing interpretive finger guns to YouTube or social media.

You can also import your own motion data, which opens up more possibilities if you’ve got some files lying around from other tools. That said, the interface is still a bit clunky—it’s not always clear what buttons do what, and figuring things out sometimes feels like a dance of its own, one choreographed by someone who really likes hiding features behind vague icons.

Still, it does what it says on the tin. If you want a quick way to animate your VRM without dealing with full-blown 3D animation software, this is a fun and (mostly) easy option. Just know it’s still a work in progress. If you're the kind of person who gets excited by seeing your model groove to canned animations, it's worth a shot. If you're the kind who wants polish and custom everything, maybe wishlist it and check back after a few updates.

Recommended, but with the understanding that it's more “bedroom DJ debut” than “world tour.”

Zundamon DLC is a character add-on for Desktop Mate which, as the name subtly suggests, adds Zundamon. Yes, that Zundamon. For the blissfully uninitiated, Zundamon is a character born from the noble mission of promoting the Tohoku region of Japan after the 2011 earthquake—starting life as the pet of Tohoku Zunko, the regional mascot. But somewhere along the way, the pet gained sentience, legs, and a surprisingly bold personality, and has since gone full anime and infiltrated every corner of YouTube like a sentient meme with a purpose. She (or it? Or they? Let’s go with she because the internet said so and I dare not argue) has evolved from mascot sidekick to full-on virtual star. That’s Zundamonlogy 101.

Now, what exactly does this DLC do? It blesses your desktop with the presence of Zundamon herself. But not just any static mascot—no, this one talks. Yes, this is not your regular Desktop Mate DLC where the characters just stand there looking cute and silently judging your browser tabs. Zundamon has things to say. And say them she does!

Click on her and she talks—simple, effective, and possibly addictive. No, it’s not powered by AI, so you won’t be having deep philosophical debates about the nature of sentience or why your cat stares into the corner at 3AM. But let’s be honest—do you really need a conversation when you can have Zundamon saying random things in that signature chipper voice that’s somewhere between adorable and dangerously motivational?

It’s like having your own pocket-sized chaos gremlin on your desktop, occasionally reminding you that life is better with a little more Zundamon energy.

A must-have for fans of Zundamon, Tohoku Zunko, or chaotic virtual sidekicks in general. If you’re not a fan yet, this might just be your gateway into the wholesome madness of the Zundaverse. Enter at your own risk—and enjoy every second of it.

So you’ve got a fancy VR avatar, and you’ve strutted around in VRChat, waved at your virtual friends, maybe even danced a little. But now you’re wondering—what if I could make a video with it? Not just any video, but something that looks good without requiring me to sell my soul to the animation gods or take out a loan for software subscriptions? Enter VARK SHORTS Premium, the premium version of VARK SHORTS—which, by the way, no longer has a free version. (It used to, but that one was more for general use and had some collaboration templates. The premium version is where all the creative freedom went.)

And what does this wizardry let you do? Well, for starters, it lets you make videos—without having to deal with keyframes, curves, or any of that soul-crushing animation nonsense. You pick a template, press some buttons, and BOOM—you’ve got a video file ready to upload to YouTube, Twitter (sorry, X—because if there’s anything Elon Musk is good at, it’s making things harder to find in search engines), Facebook, or TikTok (assuming your government hasn’t declared it a threat to national security).

But wait, there’s more! Since this is VARK SHORTS Premium and not VARK SHORTS Lite (which doesn’t exist, but if it did, it would probably just be a single button that says "Imagine a video")—you get creative freedom! You can select different motions, backgrounds, and even toss in extra objects to craft your own digital masterpiece. Feeling extra fancy? There’s a webcam-based motion capture feature too! It’s not going to replace professional mocap studios, but hey, if you’ve ever wanted to flail your arms and make your avatar mimic your chaotic energy, now’s your chance.

Now, don’t expect Blender levels of control here. If you want to sculpt, rig, and animate every frame of your magnum opus, you should be using Blender—which, fun fact, is also on Steam! (See? I saved you a Google search.) But if you just want to throw some images, audio, video clips, and captions together for something fun, unique, and mercifully simple, then this is your tool.

So why use it? Because you can make your cute avatar do cute things, your cool avatar do cool things, and your ridiculous avatar do absolutely ridiculous things. Whether you want to create the next viral meme, a goofy animation to entertain your friends, or even a slick promo video for your business, VARK SHORTS Premium has you covered. You’re only limited by your creativity—and, let’s be honest, sometimes that’s a pretty low ceiling to bonk your head against.

Just a heads-up, if you’re a VRChat user, you’ll probably need to convert your avatar to VRM format first. Don’t panic—there are plenty of tutorials out there. (YouTube has like a million of them, probably narrated by someone with a soothing voice and an avatar that blinks too much.) Your mileage may vary depending on how "optimized" your avatar is. If you’re rocking some 5000-material, 2000-shader monstrosity that drops everyone’s FPS into the negatives, well… maybe take this as a sign to re-evaluate your life choices. (Seriously, your friends aren’t admiring your avatar—they’re just pretending to see it while silently cursing you.)

Final Verdict: VARK SHORTS Premium is an easy, fun way to make short VRM videos without needing an animation degree. Is it going to win you an Oscar? Probably not. But will it let you make silly, stylish, and snappy videos with minimal effort? Absolutely. Now go forth and make your avatar do weird things!

Ever felt like your desktop was missing something? Maybe it was a little too lifeless, too mundane, too… non-Miku? Well, fear not, because SNOW MIKU 2025 Ver. is here to turn your digital workspace into a winter wonderland of cuteness!

This delightful DLC for Desktop Mate lets you summon none other than SNOW MIKU 2025—yes, that SNOW MIKU, the annual winter-themed version of Hatsune Miku, who graces the snowy festivities of Hokkaido every year with a fresh new look, because why have just one Miku when you can have infinite Mikus, each with seasonal flair?

For the uninitiated, think of SNOW MIKU as Hatsune Miku, but winterized—like she fell into a magical snow globe, got a cozy yet stylish new outfit, and is now ready to spread frosty vibes across your desktop. And since this is the 2025 version, you get this year's SNOW MIKU, meaning she’s cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, and certified fresher than fresh powder snow.

Once installed, SNOW MIKU will live on your screen, accompanying you through the daily grind. Need moral support while working? She’s there. Procrastinating? She’s there. Accidentally closing an important document? Yup, still there, but looking adorable while you cry.

In summary:
✔️ Summon your very own SNOW MIKU like a desktop spirit guide.
✔️ Instantly increase your desk’s waifu-per-pixel ratio.
✔️ Perfect for those who love winter, Miku, or just need a virtual companion who won’t judge them for opening the same five apps over and over.

Would recommend to anyone who wants their desktop to feel 20% cooler (and I don’t just mean temperature-wise).

10/10, would let Miku sit on my taskbar again. ⛄🎤❄️

So, Desktop Mate is free to download, which is nice. But let's be real here — developers gotta eat, right? Enter their answer to the eternal “how do we make money” question: the Hatsune Miku DLC. For $15, you can add the one and only virtual idol herself to your Desktop Mate character roster. Yes, that's right. Hatsune Miku. On. Your. Desktop. Just imagine her sitting on your taskbar, casually lounging on top of a window, or just vibing with your spreadsheets. It's the productivity boost you didn't know you needed.

Now, if you've already tried the base app, you’ll know it comes with Aierutan for free. And let’s be honest, Miku’s functionality here isn’t groundbreaking. Like Aierutan, she’s mostly decorative. No voice alarms. (Seriously, why no voice alarms? It’s Hatsune Miku! Missed opportunity.) She won’t read your emails or sing you awake in the morning, and she certainly won’t offer IT support when your computer inevitably decides to take a coffee break without you. But hey, it’s a well-modeled, officially licensed 3D version of Miku, and that’s worth something. If you’re a fan, this is basically the digital equivalent of her moving in and becoming your new BFF. Minus the awkward roommate moments.

What’s she good at, then? Well, she’s amazing at just hanging out. She’ll sit there looking cute, like she’s silently cheering you on as you power through that late-night coding session or finish up a spreadsheet from hell. She’s like a mini digital mascot for your desktop—a reminder that even if life gets busy, there’s still room for a little fun and whimsy.

Of course, temper your expectations. Don’t expect her to start singing every time you get a Slack notification or to remind you about your meeting with the same enthusiasm she’d have for singing “World is Mine.” She’s here to chill, look cute, and add a little bit of Miku magic to your workday. That’s it. Think of her as a premium sticker pack for your desktop—one that moves, has presence, and is unapologetically Miku. For hardcore fans, this might even be worth a spot in your virtual hall of fame.

Is it perfect? No. Does it need to be? Also no. The lack of advanced features, like customizable interactions or actual voice integration, might be a letdown for some. But for what it’s worth? I’m having fun with it. My desktop has never looked this cool, and honestly, Miku just makes everything better. She’s not here to work; she’s here to vibe.

In summary, if you’re a Hatsune Miku fan, this DLC isn’t just a glow-up for your desktop — it’s a little slice of virtual heaven. If you’re not? Stick with Aierutan and save the $15, but you’ll be missing out on the undeniable charm of having Miku cheer you on through life’s digital chaos. For us Miku stans, it’s $15 that transforms your workspace into a stage for joy and inspiration. Just don’t expect her to troubleshoot your tech woes—she’s got better things to do, like being fabulous. And honestly, isn’t that the kind of energy we all need in our lives?

So, what is Desktop Mate? Imagine if that annoying animated paperclip from old Office days decided to get its act together, ditch the obnoxiousness, and move in on your desktop to chill instead of micromanage your life. That’s Desktop Mate in a nutshell, but way cooler and way less nosy. Instead of a smug clip, you get Aierutan, who is the epitome of wholesome desktop charm. (Let’s be honest, we all love Aierutan, right? It’s like she’s everyone’s desktop BFF.)

So what does Desktop Mate do? Well, it’s not exactly a productivity powerhouse, but that’s not the point. Aierutan lounges on your taskbar, perches on a window, or casually hangs out on the edge of your screen, adding a touch of life and personality to your digital workspace. She’s like that coworker who doesn’t do much work but keeps everyone’s spirits high. The app has a built-in alarm feature (although, heartbreakingly, no Aierutan voice for it—seriously, why?), but beyond that, it’s mostly there for the aesthetic and good vibes.

Want to procrastinate? Aierutan’s got you covered. You can fiddle with her placement, watch her animations, and just enjoy the little details. She’ll even react to certain actions, making her feel a bit more alive. You can pat her, and she gazes at and follows your cursor around the screen, adding an extra layer of interactivity that feels oddly endearing. It’s like having a pet on your desktop, minus the shedding and responsibility. And let’s not overlook the fact that she’s incredibly customizable. Change her position, tweak her settings, or just let her do her thing—the choice is yours.

And here’s the kicker: it’s free. Yes, you heard me. No microtransactions. No sneaky ads. No “You’ve unlocked 2 out of 400 interactions; pay up for the rest” nonsense. Just good old-fashioned desktop companionship.

If you’re into quirky, low-effort, high-charm software, Desktop Mate is a no-brainer. Sure, it’s not going to revolutionize how you work or manage your files, but it’s not trying to. It’s here to make your screen a little less lonely, and that’s a win in my book.

Honestly, there’s something comforting about having a little character hanging out on your screen, minding their own business while you’re slogging through spreadsheets or binging your fifth YouTube playlist of the day. It’s like sharing a silent camaraderie with someone who doesn’t judge your procrastination habits. Aierutan won’t remind you of deadlines or point out that you’ve spent the last three hours organizing desktop icons instead of working. She’s just there, vibing, and that’s the energy we all need sometimes.

So, if you’re in the market for something to brighten up your desktop with zero commitment, Desktop Mate might just be your new best friend. It’s charming, it’s free, and it’s a delightful throwback to a simpler time when virtual characters on our screens were all the rage. Except this time, it’s done right.

If you’ve been tirelessly simulating steam engines in the base game, yearning for a purpose beyond chugging along aimlessly, your prayers have been answered! The Power Generation DLC is here to revolutionize your virtual steam-powered existence. No longer are you limited to admiring your perfectly timed pistons and overachieving boilers; now, your steam engine can do something truly meaningful — power an entire city! Because, let’s be honest, a steam engine without a purpose is like a toaster without bread: pointless.

This DLC hands you the reins of a steam-powered power plant. Your mission? Keep the lights on, or risk plunging the city into darkness. And let’s not kid ourselves: no electricity means no computers, no Steam app, and no games. Truly a dystopia none of us want to experience.

At first, things seem manageable. The game provides AI assistance to handle some subsystems. It’s almost relaxing — you sip your coffee, adjust a lever here and there, and think, “This isn’t so bad.” But then, like interns abandoning their posts after realizing “exposure” doesn’t pay rent, your AI helpers start disappearing. Suddenly, you’re a one-person workforce juggling jobs meant for a dozen people. Hopefully, your virtual protagonist is being paid overtime, hazard pay, and therapy bills because managing a city’s power solo isn’t for the faint-hearted.

This simulation tests your multitasking skills to the limit. You’re adjusting boiler pressure, monitoring generator efficiency, and ensuring the city’s power demands are met without blowing up your plant. It’s a delicate dance of crisis management. Let the pressure climb too high? Boom. Neglect the steam levels? Say hello to a blackout. And while you’re putting out metaphorical (and sometimes literal) fires, the city’s residents are blissfully unaware of the chaos behind their functioning light switches.

Yet, amidst the stress, there’s an undeniable satisfaction in mastering the art of steam power generation. Successfully navigating this pressure cooker (pun intended) earns you a sense of accomplishment akin to saving a SimCity metropolis from a meteor strike. If nothing else, you can slap “Expert Steam Powerlogist” on your resume and feel superior the next time you visit a power plant IRL. Just don’t mention the part where you accidentally turned the boiler into a makeshift rocket launcher during your first attempt.

In the end, this DLC captures the essence of why we game: to escape reality, but also to remind ourselves how good we have it. Because no matter how challenging your day might be, at least you’re not manually managing a steam power plant while trying to keep an entire city running. And, most importantly, you still have electricity to play this game in the first place.

Verdict: The Power Generation DLC is a steam-powered rollercoaster of stress, strategy, and satisfaction. Highly recommended — just make sure your own boiler doesn’t blow from the pressure.